Numa-iri Bonden

Overview

The "Arunumairi Bonten" (Marsh-Entering Bonten Festival) is a traditional event held annually on May 4 at Itsukushima Shrine and Benzaiten Marsh (written Benzaiten-numa in Yokote City sources) in Arakokoro, Daigo, Hiragamachi, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. This festival is a ritual prayer for abundant harvests, family safety, and gratitude for the blessings of irrigation water, in which young and middle-aged men who have married, built a new house, or had a child in the past year enter Benzaiten Marsh wearing only fundoshi (loincloths) and thrust a bonten (a sacred pole) into the center of the marsh. This event is also called "Shimizu-sai" (Clear Water Festival) and is considered close to the original form of bonten festivals in the prefecture. On December 16, 1983, it was selected as a cultural property requiring measures such as documentation under the national government's intangible folk cultural property program, and on August 19, 1988, it was designated as an Akita Prefecture-designated intangible folk cultural property. A distinctive feature of this event is that it takes place just before the agricultural season begins in earnest.

The event is held at Itsukushima Shrine and the adjacent Benzaiten Marsh in Arakokoro, Daigo, Hiragamachi, Yokote City. This bonten is also called "Tawara Bonten" (straw bag bonten), made from a cedar log approximately 4 meters tall decorated with auspicious straw bags. After parading through the settlement, the men enter the marsh, where the water temperature is about 10 degrees Celsius, and thrust the bonten into the center. This scene closely resembles the description in "Yuki no Dewaji" (Snowy Dewa Road) by the Edo-period traveler Sugae Masumi, and is praised for preserving ancient customs. The festival is said to have a history of about 300 years and has been carefully passed down by local residents.

History and Origin

The origin of this festival is said to date back before the Bunsei era (1818-1829). It began with people making wishes to Benzaiten, who has been enshrined there since the early Edo period. In the past, the festival was held on the 18th day of the third month of the old lunar calendar, but it is now fixed on May 4 of the solar calendar. According to tradition, it originated from villagers offering bonten to the marsh as a prayer for a good harvest and gratitude for the water that sustained their irrigation system.

Sugae Masumi's "Yuki no Dewaji" contains a description very similar to this festival, indicating that it was well known as early as the Edo period. The commentary points out that this bonten event is "close to the original form of bonten festivals in the prefecture," suggesting that it retains an older form compared to bonten festivals in other regions. Bonten themselves serve as yorishiro (sacred objects where deities descend) and are used as markers for the head house during festivals or carried at the front of divine processions in many parts of Japan, but the practice of offering them into a marsh is unique to this location.

On December 16, 1983, this event was selected as a cultural property requiring measures such as documentation under the national intangible folk cultural property program. It has been under official cultural property protection since that year. Subsequently, on August 19, 1988, it was designated as an Akita Prefecture-designated intangible folk cultural property, gaining recognition as a representative folk event of the prefecture. These designations confirm that the historical value and regional distinctiveness of the event have been publicly acknowledged.

Currently, the event is organized primarily by the Numa-iri Bonten Preservation Society, Itsukushima Shrine, and the shrine's parishioner representatives. A yearly rotation system divides the settlement into five groups, with groups 1 through 5 taking turns organizing the event each year. Participants are primarily men who have married in the past year, men who have built new houses, and men and women of yakudoshi (unlucky ages), and records indicate that five men participated in the marsh entry as of 2019.

Highlights

The Process of Making the Bonten The bonten is made from a cedar log about 4 meters tall, decorated with auspicious straw bags and other ornaments. It is also called "Tawara Bonten" due to its straw bag-shaped decorations. This bonten serves as a yorishiro where the deity descends and is also a symbol of abundant harvests. The process of villagers collectively working on its production and completing it by the day of the festival strengthens community bonds.

The Naked Body Entry into the Marsh with Only a Fundoshi Participants enter Benzaiten Marsh wearing only fundoshi (loincloths), with the water temperature around 10 degrees Celsius. According to recent reports, several men ranging from high school students to those in their 60s have participated. This naked state signifies approaching the deity in a pure and innocent form, and plunging into the cold water serves as a form of ascetic purification. The tension just before entering the water and the courageous sight of the men after entry captivate the audience.

Offering the Bonten at the Center of the Marsh The men carry the bonten into the marsh and thrust it into a predetermined position. This scene closely resembles the description in Sugae Masumi's "Yuki no Dewaji." The act of thrusting the bonten vertically symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth. The reflection of the bonten and the men in the water creates an image that is both mystical and powerful.

The Settlement Procession Ritual Before entering the marsh, the men parade through the settlement carrying the bonten. The settlement procession takes place before the marsh entry. This parade is meant to bring the deity's protection to each household, signifying the participation of the entire community. The procession, accompanied by the sounds of flutes and drums, brings vitality to the settlement.

The Yearly Rotation System for Preserving Tradition The event is organized using a yearly rotation system that divides the settlement into five groups. Groups 1 through 5 take turns managing the event each year. This system distributes the burden while providing opportunities for many residents to be involved in the organization. The handover ceremony and preparation work by the rotating group are important occasions for deepening community ties.

Diversity of Participants Participants include not only married men but also those who have built a new house, had a child, or are of yakudoshi age. Young and middle-aged people who have experienced these milestones in the past year form the core of participants, though in recent years other volunteers may also enter the water. However, elderly people and women are allowed to send substitutes, providing flexible participation. The wide age range, from high school students to those in their 60s, fosters cross-generational interaction.

Consistency with Sugae Masumi's Records This event is known to closely resemble the scene described by the Edo-period traveler Sugae Masumi in his work "Yuki no Dewaji." The cites this record as important evidence of the event's antiquity. The fact that a description from about 200 years ago can still be seen in almost identical form today is a valuable phenomenon from a folkloric perspective. Visitors can feel the weight of a tradition that has been passed down through time.

Event Information and Access

1. Date: Annually on May 4 (fixed from 2023 onward). According to the 2025 report from the Akita Sakigake Shimpo, the settlement procession takes place in the morning, and the marsh entry occurs around midday.
2. Venue: Itsukushima Shrine and Benzaiten Marsh, Arakokoro, Daigo, Hiragamachi, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. A detailed map is available.
3. Access by Car: Approximately 15 minutes by car from the "Yokote IC" on the Akita Expressway, or about 15 minutes from the "Yokote-Kita IC" (ETC only). Some sources state about 10 minutes from the Yokote IC, so the distance is generally within 15 minutes.
4. Access by Train: About 15 minutes by car from "Yokote Station" on the JR Ou Main Line. Taxi or rental car is required from the nearest station.
5. Admission Fee: Free (open to the public). The has no fee mentioned, and the event is open for anyone to view.
6. Contact: Yokote City Community Development Department, Hiragata Regional Office (Phone: 0182-24-1118). This number is listed on the and .
7. Parking: Temporary parking may be available near the venue. However, roads around the marsh are narrow, so using public transportation or carpooling is recommended.
8. Notes: Always check the official Yokote City website or contact the organizers in advance for the latest schedule and availability. The date may change or the event may be canceled due to weather or other circumstances.

Surrounding Area Information

Hiragamachi in Yokote City is an agricultural region located in the Yokote Basin in southern Akita Prefecture, characterized by extensive rice fields. The Daigo area, where the festival takes place, has thriving paddy farming that relies on irrigation water, helping visitors understand the deep connection between this event and agriculture. The area offers good access to various tourist spots in Yokote City, making it worthwhile to combine a visit to the festival with sightseeing.

Yokote City is famous for its "kamakura" snow huts, and the "Yokote Snow Festival" is held every February. Additionally, Yokote yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) is a well-known B-grade gourmet dish that can be enjoyed after viewing the festival. The city also features historical streetscapes such as the "Kura no Machinami" (warehouse townscape) in Masuda Town, offering many attractions for those interested in folk culture.

Near Benzaiten Marsh, there is Itsukushima Shrine, which is worth visiting in itself. Convenient facilities such as "Michinoeki Jumonji" (roadside station) and "Yokote City Fureai Center" are located nearby for rest and information gathering. However, traffic restrictions may be in place on the day of the event, so it is advisable to check the route in advance. According to the Akita Sakigake Shimpo report, the marsh entry takes place around midday, so it is best to plan to arrive at the site in the morning.

Related Information

1. Cultural Property Status: Registered under the name "Arasho no Numairi Bonden Gyoji." National intangible folk cultural property requiring measures such as documentation (selected December 16, 1983); Akita Prefecture-designated intangible folk cultural property (designated August 19, 1988). Both designations are confirmed.
2. Alternative Name: Also called "Shimizu-sai" (Clear Water Festival).
3. Literary Source: Sugae Masumi's "Yuki no Dewaji" records the scene of this festival. The also cites this work.
4. Organizing Bodies: Arakokoro Numa-iri Bonten Executive Committee, Numa-iri Bonten Preservation Society, Itsukushima Shrine, and its parishioner representatives.
5. Participation Criteria: Men who have married, built a new house, or had a child in the past year, as well as men and women of yakudoshi age. Elderly people and women may send substitutes. The clearly states the conditions for participation.
6. Similar Events: There are many bonten festivals throughout Akita Prefecture, and "Arakokoro Numa-iri Bonten" is considered to preserve one of the oldest forms. It is "close to the original form of bonten festivals in the prefecture."
7. Related Link: The Yokote City official page can be consulted for the latest information.

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